Desk set mounting



April 24, 1934. I. D. TEFFT 1,956,084

DESK SET MOUNTING Filed April 17, 1931 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Z1 l v A ril 24, 1934. 1 D. TEFFT 1,956,084

DESK SET MOUNTING Filed April 17, 1931 s Sheets-Sheet 2 April 24, 1934. TEFFT 1,956,084

DESK SET MOUNTING I Filed April 17, 1931 3 Sheet s-Sheet 3 I II mil- MM WW M g lllm il Q U Q Patented Apr. 24, 1934 PATENT OFFICE DESK SET MOUNTING Ivan D. Tefft, Janesville, Wia, assignor to The Parker Pen Company, Janesville, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application April 17, 1931, Serial No. 530,873 15 Claims. (01. 12o-1os)' My invention relates generally'to desk sets and it has to do more particularly with a novel form of mounting for attaching a writing instrument receiving-receptacle, or other object, to a supporting surface. I

Respecting prior forms of desk sets, it would be impractical for a manufacturer of the same to attempt to make and sell a sufficient number of sets and combinations to meet (or even come near meeting) the desires of all prospective purchasers. One purchaser may desire one kind of a base and another purchaser a different kind of a base. They may want different size, different shape or differently colored bases. One may like a certain kind of a base but not the shape, size, color, etc., of the receptacle. One might like a certain combination of these parts and another a diiferent combination. Some of such prior sets may be so constructed that their parts may be disassembled, but they do not readily and quickly lend themselves to that end in the hands of dealers in the sense that a dealer could readily interchange bases, receptacles, etc., because such prior sets require the use of tools and special knowledge for disassembly of the same without danger of injury thereto and without destroying the ready saleability of the same.

Furthermore, it is quite customary to mount various objects (ornamental, or otherwise) on the desk set base in addition to the writing instrument receptacle. Heretofore, the mountings for such objects are not of a character lending themselves to ready detachability and interchangeability, being mounted by the manufacturer in a permanent-like fashion. Such objects may include statuettes, ash trays, calendars, clocks, name plates, cigar lighters, etc. Practice has shown that a prospective customer may like a certain set except for the statuette, clock, or the like, ornamental object thereon, and then when shown a set having the desired ornamental, or the like, object thereon would not like the base or the writing instrument receiving-receptacle. Here again, it would be impracticable for a manufacturer to attempt to make, or a dealer to attempt to keep in stock, asuflicient quantity of different desk set combinations to satisfy customers. Because of all the foregoing, numerous sales have been lost to dealers.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a desk set wherein the foregoing objections are overcome and which is of such character that the various parts thereof may be readily and quickly detached and attached without the use of tools, special knowledge, and the like; wherefore corresponding parts (receptacles, statuettes, clocks, name plates, and other objects) of different desk sets maybe readily and quickly interchanged to provide combinations conforming to the desires of customers.

Another object is to provide desk set structure including a base having mounted thereon one or more receiving receptacles and one or more ornamental or useful objects such as statuettes, ash trays, cigar lighters, calendars, name plates, and the like, all of which objects including thereceiving receptacles are so mounted on the base as to be readily and quickly attached and detached and interchanged with similar objects or with each other.

A further object is to provide a desk set arrangement whereby the dealer may make up a very.large number of different desk set combinations from a comparatively small number of different desk set parts. In other words, my invention makes it possible for the dealer to supply a greatvariety-of desk set combinations from a small stock ofparts. This effects a tremendous saving for dealers and materially increases sales due to ability to supply sets satisfying the artistic demand of a great number of different customers.

Another objectof my invention is to provide, in

- the carrying-out of the foregoing objects and advantages, a desk set unit (including a receiving- 86 receptacle, statuette, ash tray, clock, or other object) having a mounting member adapted to be frictionally engaged in an opening in the supporting base where it is releasably retained (against accidental displacement) for tensioned 90 rotation of the same with respect to the base.

A more specific object is to provide a desk set of the foregoing character, wherein there is provided a receiving receptacle and a base and wherein-the receptacle is swingably connected to a member adapted to be releasably and rotatably snap-engaged in an opening in the base whereby the receptacle may be swung to various angular positions above the base and may be rotated to various positions around the base in a substantially flat condition, all without interfering with l the ready detachability and interchangeability feature above referred to. This rotatability feature is equally applicable to objects (such as those hereinabove mentioned) other than receiving-receptacles so that they may be moved to any desired rotative position which best serves the purpose intended.

It is another object of my invention to provide a simple and. exceedingly inexpensive desk set 11 parent as this description progresses and by reference to the drawings wherein,-

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view oi one form of desk set' structure embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged yerticaL-parti-sectional view through the structure shown in Fig. i, and illustrating the mounting as applied to a metal base;

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially, on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view of the receptacle and mounting similar to that of Fig. 2 but showing the same as applied to one form of molded base;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 4 except showing the parts mounted in a marble, stone, or the like, base;

Fig. 6 is a separate sectional view of a portion of another form of molded base to which the mounting of Figs. 2 and i may be applied;

Fig. 7 is a separated sectional view of the form of molded base shown in Fig. 4; v

Fig. 8 is an assembly view of another form of mounting for a writing instrument receiving-receptacle;

Fig. 9 is an assembly view of another form of mounting embodying my invention and suitable for mounting a statuettaash tray, name plate, clock, etc.;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of another form of base well adaptedv for the mounting of Figs. 8 and 9;

Figs. l1, l2 and 13 are elevational views of a statuette, ash tray and adjustable calendar, respectively, adapted for mounting on a base in accordance with my invention; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a desk set show ing detached receiving-receptacles and a plock in position for detachable engagement with a base according to my invention.

In the structure which I have chosen to illustrate my invention the receiving-receptacle is particularly adapted for supporting a fountain pen, and it is of a character adapted for movement to a plurality of angular positions with respect to the base; however, it is to be understood that the receptanle may take anysuitable form and it may well be adapted for supporting a pencil or other writing instrument. It is to be further understood that the base may support only a receiving receptacle or receptacles, or may also rotates ceptacle, and I adapt one of these members for tensioned rotational engagement in an opening 1 in the supporting surface, which I may term the may be detached by merely applying sufiicient force axially to such parts to separate the same; and the engaged parts are so related and secured that they remain attached during the use of the desk set and until the user desires to separate the same. The foregoing is equally true of other objects to to bemounted on the base, except for angular movement of the same; however, if desired, such angular movement may be arranged for in the same manner as the receptacle.

Now, referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, the receptacle unit includes a receptacle 10 supporting at its lower end a ball 11 which is mounted for universal movement in the open-ended socket portion 12 of an elongated, tubular, basemounted socket member 13. The ball 11 is seated upon the spherical seat of a block l4 which block is, in turn, supported yieldingly by the spring 15 confined, under tension, between the block and the end-closure disk 16. ,The disk 16 is secured in place by fianging the lower end of the socket member inwardly as shown. This structure provides for the tensioned angular movement of the receptacle and for holding the receptacle yieldably in any of the angular positions to which it may be moved.

The metal supporting surface or base 17 is provided with a cylindrical opening 18, and I so construct the socket member 13 that it may be readily snapped into and removed from the base opening; and when it is in place in such opening it will be so releasably retained for rotation under tension therein that it will not tend to creep upwardiy and out of the base opening. In other words, even though the parts are frictionally engaged, they will not become disengaged except when intentionally separated by the user. Specifically, the relative sizes of the socket member 13 and base opening 18 are such that they fit with a snug friction fit but not sufliciently tight to prevent relative rotation of the fitted parts. I form an external bead 19 in the side wall of the socket member adjacent the lower edge of its its socket portion 13, which bead limits the extent to which the socket member may be inserted in the base opening. The wall of the socket member is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slits or slots 20 leading from the bead 19 to near the bottom edge of such wall thereby dividing the wall of the same into a plurality of yieldable sections-21. The slitted wall portion of the member 12, at a distance from the bead 19 substantially equal to the depth of the base opening 18 is provided with another external bead 22 which is similar to the bead 19 except it is interrupted by the slits 20. To attach the socket member to the base, it is only necessary to insert its lower end in the base opening and apply suflicient force thereto to cause the bead 22 to enter the base opening, the wall sections 21 yielding to permit the bead to so enter and pass through the base opening. As the foregoing takes place and the upper bead 19 seats upon the top of the base, the lower bead 22 passes through the base opening 18 and the yielding wall sections 21 spring outwardly to engage the bead 22 beneath the base opening. Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, the socket m mber is re easably locked in place against axial displacement. The fit between the socket member and the base, and due to the resilient action of the yielding socket wall, provides for rotation of the socket member under tension so that it will remain in any rotative position to which it may be moved.

It'will be noted that the side wall of the socket portion is provided with a recess 23 in which the ball stem 24 may be received for folding the receptacle 10 and its contained pen 25 to a substantially fiat position so that the structure may be readily stored and the pen may be folded down to avoid obstructing the desk or table space in certain instances. Rotation-oi the socket member enables one to rotate the pen and receptacle in the above condition by grasping the receptacle 10 or its contained pen. Due to the positive interlock provided by the beads 19 and 22, the socket member will not tend to creep out of position in the base as the receptacle is moved about and the parts will not become accidentally detached.

My invention may equally well be used in connection with molded bases such as shown in Figs.

4 and '7. In that case, the base 26 may be provided with a suitable opening 27 in which there is mounted, preferably, a metal bushing 28. This bushing may be molded into the base at the time the latter is formed and, to insure its positive securement therein, it is grooved as at 28 so as to become interlocked with the base material in a manner well understood. Otherwise than just described, the construction of the structure of Fig. 4 is the same as that of Fig. 2. In instances where it is not desired to employ the metal bushing 28, I may provide in the molded base 30 (Fig. 7) an opening which has its upper part 31 of a slightly reduced diameter (as compared to its lower part 32) thereby providing a shoulder 33 under which the lower bead 22 of the socket member 12 may engage in the same manner as in the forms of Figs. 2 and 4.

It may also be desirable to employ a marble, stone, or the like, base. In that case, as shown in Fig. 5, the base structure may be provided with a suitable opening 34 in which is received the metal bushing 35 having its opposite ends 36, 3''! turned over into enlarged bores at the opposite ends of the base opening. The lower part of the bore of the bushing 35 is slightly enlarged to provide an internal shoulder 38 under which the lower bead 22 snap-engages when the socket member 12 is inserted in place as illustrated in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 8 I have shown another form of receiving-receptacle mounting which may be used in place of that of Figs. 2, 4, and 5. Specifically, it comprises a socket 40 adapted to receive a ball 41, the stem 42 of which is threaded for detachable engagement with the receptacles 10 and 43 of Figs. 1 and 14, respectively. This ball seats upon a washer 44 and is pressed upwardly against its socket seat by a coil spring 45 confined under compression, within a cylindrical depending attachment sleeve 46, between the washer 44 and the inturned ends of the yielding fingers 46 of the attachment sleeve 46. It will be noted that the socket 40 in its pre-assembly form has a cylindrical bottom skirt 40, and, to assemble the foregoing parts, the ball 41 is inserted in the socket with its stem 42 projecting upwardly through the top of the socket, whereupon the member 46, spring 45 and washer 44 are moved up into place and the bottom edge of the socket skirt 40 is then crimped in any suitable manner over the out-turned fingers 46 at the top of the sleeve 46.

Thus, the foregoing parts are permanently tastened together as a unit for tensioned angular movements of the objects to be attached to the ball 41. This arrangement is clearly shown in Fig, 14, in which figure one receptacle is ,shown in a substantially horizontal position such as permitted by the recess 40 in the socket.

The mounting unit shown in Fig. 9 is similar to that-of Fig. 8 except that no provision is made for tensioned angular movement of the supported object. This unit is particularly adapted for supporting the statuette of Fig. 11, the ash tray device of Fig. 12, the calendar device of Fig. 13, and the clock of Fig. 14. Specifically, it comprises a depending attachment sleeve 47 similar to the sleeve 46 of Fig. 8. This sleeve is secured to a cylindrical, disk-shaped, object-attachment member 48 in a manner similar to securement of the sleeve 46 of Fig. 8. The member 48 isprovided with an upstanding threaded stem for detachable engagement with objects similar to those of Figs. 11 to 14, inlusive, or any other objects to be mounted in accordance with my invention. In the mounting of Fig. 8, the spring 45 seating upon the upturned ends of the sleeve fingers 46 gives resilient support to the fingers 46 and, in Fig. 9, this feature is provided by a split, resilient ring 49 which is seated upon the inturned ends of the sleeve fingers.

In Figs. 10 and 14, I show a base structure well adapted to receive the mounting unit of Figs. 8 and 9. This base is provided with an opening 50 formed in any desirable manner into which is force-fitted a sleeve 51 which is of less depth than the opening 50 and which is substantially of the assembled-length of the attachment sleeves 46 and 47 of Figs. 8, 9, and 11 to 14, inclusive. The bottom edge of this sleeve provides a shoulder 52 beneath which the outwardly-formed beads 53 at the ends of the sleeve fingers 46 and 4'? snap when the mounting units of Figs.

8 and 9 are forced into place in the manner explained in connection with the form of Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive. The upper or outer end of the sleeve 51 is flanged outwardly to seat upon the top of the base around the opening 50. The foregoing provides for ready and quick application of the mounting unit to and its detachment from the base in the-same manner as explained in connection with the previous figures. The forms of Figs. 8 and 9 are capable of rotation when attached to the base, as in connection with such previously-described forms.

In Fig. 14, I have shown the base with a pair of receiving-receptacles 43 and a clock 55 in readiness to be attached to such base. Such attachment is effected merely by moving these objects toward the openings 50 in the base and applying sufficient force axially to cause the desired snapengagement. The statuette, or calendar device or ash tray device of Figs. 11 to 13, inclusive, may be substituted for the clock 55;. or, if desired, these objects maybe substituted or interchanged with one or the other (or even both) of the receptacles 43. In other words, the mountother objects such as illustrated in Figs. 11 to is, inclusive, as well as any other desired form of objects which he believes may come within the scope of the demands of his customers. Then, the dealer, after learning the preference, of his particular customer, may readily select a base, a receptacle,'or receptacles, and some other object or objects and mount them up on the base and thereby present to the customer the particular combination desired. Thisarrangement in= sures a greater percentage of sales forthe dealer. It places the customer in a position to' select from a very large number of desk set combinations. It gives the customer the opportunity of using his own artistic sense in the makeup of the desk set. It also gives the-dealer, who is experienced in matters of this kind, the opportunity to select and make up beforehand combinations which may appeal to various types of customers.

It will be appreciated that one at the time of purchasing the desk set may desire a certain form of base or receptacle or other object thereon or a certain combination of these objects. After using this combination for a time, the user may become dissatisfied with the same, or may want to make a change, such as the substitution of one object for another. My invention makes this possible. In other words, all that the customer in such case need do would be to purchase the desired object which he wishes to entertain or I substitute and make the substitution himself.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the advantages of my invention from the commercial standpoint are indeed great; and this is true not only from the standpoint of the manufacturers but also dealers and the general public. It eliminates waste and over-stocking. I believe that my invention will have a material efiect in increasing the demand for articles of this character. My invention "affords many other advantages, which I believe will be apparent from the foregoing description.

In all of the forms described in this application,

I the base may be what item the portable type adapted to be placed flatwise upon the top of a table or desk so that it can be moved :about at will and inserted in the drawer of a desk or in some other suitable place, or the base portion may take the form of the top of a desk or table, which is provided with a suitable base opening; and, in that case, the receptacle mounting unit may be inserted in and removable from the. base opening at will, thus avoiding the use of separate base members. In this latter arrangement, furniture, and the like, manufacturers may adapt various articles to receive the receptacle unit thereby eliminating the cost of bases to the user. Also, in certain instances, according to my invention, where articles of furniture and the like are adapted to my invention, the user may want to employ an ash tray in one instance, a clock in another instance, a statuette in another instance, and other objects in other instances, and my invention not only makes this possible but provides substitution from time to time of different objects so that the user may quickly change the setting of objects in any particular environment, as desired.

While I have shown and described a number of forms for mounting, it is to be understood that other changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the claims which follow. The term object as used herein includes the receiving receptacle which may at times be called the bowl.

object, a member associated with said object, said base having an opening, and said member having a yieldable part projecting into said opening and 'frictionally engaged therein to normally prevent withdrawal of the same except upon the application of positive, axial, outward pressure thereto.

2. In a desk set of the character described, a base of flat elongated formation, an object mount ed on said base, and means for mounting said object on said base comprising a tubular member on said object, said base having an opening, and said member having its side wall slitted providing a yieldable wall surface, said wall surface being mounted in and frictionally engaged with the wall of said opening for releasably securing said object to said base.

3. In a desk set of the character described, a

base, an object, and means for mounting said said socket member from said base opening except upon compression of said yieldable wall surface.

4. A desk set of the class described which comprises an accessory, a base having an opening,

and means interconnecting-said accessory and base for rotary movement of the accessory relative to the base and about the axis of said opening which includes a member on the lower end of said accessory having a tubular flexible wall portion frictionally and removably fitted into said opening.

5. In a desk set of the character described, an object, and a unit for mounting said object in a support having an opening which comprises a memberv connected to said object and having a part associated therewith and adapted to be frictionally engaged in said support opening, said member part taking the form of a tubular part having its wall slitted to provide a yieldable wall of said surface, an exterior element on said member adapted to seat upon said support around the top' of said support opening, and anotheinekterior element on the yieldable wall surface of said tubular part adapted to snap engage the support beneath said opening when said first elee ment seats upon said support.

6. In a desk set of the character described, a desk adjunct, and means for connecting said adjunct to a support having an opening which comprises a member having a part adapted to be frictionally engaged in the support opening, means for seating said member upon the support, and means effective to automatically latch said memher in said opening when said seating means is seated upon the support, said latching means being automatically releasable by positively ap plying force axially to said member for detachment of the latter from the support.

7. In a desk set, a base, a receiving-receptacle, a member on said receptacle, a member mounted in said base, said two members being connected together for swinging movement of said receptacle, said base having an opening, and said base mounted member having a yieldable part projecting into said opening and frictionally engaged therein to prevent withdrawal of the same except upon the application of positive, axial, outward pressure thereto, and means for resisting radial movement of said yieldable part.

8. In a desk set, a base, a receiving-receptacle, and means for mounting said receptacle on said base comprising a ball on the lower end of the receptacle, a socket member in which said ball is seated for angular movements of said receptacle, a spring in said socket member tensioning movement of said ball, said base having an opening, and said socket member having its side wall slitted providing a yieldable wall surface, means for resisting yielding of said wall surface, said wall surface being mounted in and frictionally engaged with the wall of said opening for releasably securing said receptacle to said base.

9. In a desk set, a base, a receiving-receptacle, and means for mounting said receptacle on said base comprising a ball on the lower end of the receptacle, a socket member in which said ball is seated for angular movements of said receptacle, a spring in said socket member tensioning movement of said ball, said base having an opening, and said socket member having its side wall slitted providing a yieldable wall surface, a split ring for resisting yielding of said slotted wall, said wall surface being mounted in and frictionally engaged'with the wall of said opening for releasably securing said receptacle to said base, and means for positively preventing separation of said socket member from said base opening except upon compression of said yieldable wall surface.

10. In a desk set, a receptacle, and a unit for mounting said receptacle in a support having an opening'which comprises a member connected to said receptacle, another member adapted to be frictionally engaged in said support opening, said two members being swingably connected together, and said support-mounted member taking the form of a tubular part having its wall slitted to provide a yieldable wall surface, an exterior element on said tubular part adapted to seat upon said support around the top of said support opening, and another exterior element on said tubular part in the yieldable wall surface thereof adapted to snap engage the support beneath said opening when said first element seats upon said support, and means for forcing said second mentioned exterior element in a radial direction.

11. In a set of the character described, a base having an opening and an abutment associated with the opening, an object to be connected to and disconnected from said base by the application of force in a direction truly axially of said opening and to be angularly movable with respect to said base, and means for connecting the object to said base comprising a tubular member having a portion of the same radially yieldable and adapted to be positioned in the base opening to frictionally grip the wall of the same, the said yieldable portion being formed with a radial projection to snap over the abutment to latch the tubular member in place, means for yieldably resisting inward movementof said radial projection, and a seat at the upper end of said tubular member to cooperate with the base for limiting axial inward movement of the tubular member into the opening.

12. In a set of the character described, a base having an opening and an abutment associated with the opening, an object to be connected to and disconnected from said base by the application of force in a direction truly axially of said opening and to be angularly movable with respect to said base, and means for connecting the object to said base comprising a tubular member having a portion of the same radially yieldable and adapted -to be positioned in the base opening to frictionally grip the wall of the same, the said yieldable portion being formed with a radial projection to snap over the abutment to latch'the tubular member in place, means in said tubular member for applying radially yieldable force against said projection, and a seat at the upper end of said tubular member to cooperate with the base for limiting axial inward movement of the tubular member into the opening.

13. A writing instrument holder comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a writing instrument, a base having an opening provided with a shoulder, means for mounting the receptacle on the base including a tubular shank, an abutment on the inner end portion of the shank and engageable with the shoulder to yieldably retain the shank in the base opening, and a ball and socket joint connecting the shank and receptacle, and spring means within the shank for maintaining a frictional engagement between the elements of the ball and socket joint to hold the receptacle in any position of adjustment and urging the shank abutment into engagement with the base shoulder.

14. A writing instrument holder comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a writing instrument, a base having an opening, a shoulder in said opening, means for mounting the receptacle from the base including a tubular shank inserted into the base opening, a plurality of spring fingers on the inner end of the shank, abutments on the spring fingers engageable with the shoulder to yieldably hold the shank in the base opening, inward projections on said fingers, a ball and socket joint connecting the receptacle with theshank, and spring means confined between the projections on the inner ends of the fingers and the ball and socket joint for providing retaining friction between the ball and socket elements and yieldably urging the abutments on the fingers to operative position.

15. In a writing instrument holder of 'the character described, a base having an aperture therethrough, a shoulder formed in said aperture, a receptacle adapted to hold a writing instrument, means to mount said receptacle for angular movement relative to said base, a shank connected to 

